Sometimes you come across an article that hits hard. It’s honest and true and explains exactly what you’ve been feeling, but haven’t been able to put into words. That happened to me recently with Julie Bogart’s Substack post, “My Honest Thoughts About Tech in Homeschooling.”

There is so much in this article and I highly recommend everyone read it in full. But I also want to take the time to share and break down a few of the points that hit home the most for me.

She starts by calling out 2 current trends in homeschooling: group schooling and online schooling. She says little about the first, but I think it’s worth calling out because we have seen a huge rise in the availability of homeschool cooperatives, micro-schools, and learning pods since the pandemic. Homeschool families are looking for opportunities for kids to learn and grow together, but they are also looking for support as the demographic of homeschooling families with parent(s) who are working increases. School is also childcare and in order for some families to homeschool that is an issue that has to be solved. 

The second trend, online schooling, is where Julie spends most of her time. She points out that, similar to what I note above, parents want “the fruit of homeschooling (they love the promises of delight-led learning, kids going at their own pace, opting out of public school dysfunction and peer bullying), but they don’t have time to actually do it.” She goes on to note that “Rather than being a home educator, a lot of parents today are opting to be “homeschool managers.”

We hear this too – at Intro to Homeschooling sessions, in emails, and Facebook posts – that parents want an alternative to public school, but can’t or don’t want to put in the time to be the primary educator of their children. Because of this demand as well as other factors affecting educational choices in this country, the number of online programs is skyrocketing. There are so many options for families looking for online, all-in-one schools.

[Note: As of 2025, Rhode Island does not officially recognize any online schools as official private schools. To utilize an online school, Rhode Island families must follow the homeschool laws and declare themselves to be homeschoolers. They can then choose to use an online provider as part (or all) of their homeschool curriculum.]

The problem that Julie brings up, and one that many of us at ENRICHri have discussed as well, is twofold:

1. Parents are talking about how concerned they are with screen time in general, but then are opting for programs that tie their kids to a screen all day; and
2. There is a beauty and opportunity in a version of homeschooling as a lifestyle that is missed when public school is simply replaced with online school.

In regards to the first part, I would say that group schooling, as mentioned above does address this. It’s an alternative that does not usually rely on screens and can provide the support that the parent needs to make homeschooling feasible. Additionally, using online providers as a resource for some classes can be incredibly helpful and delightful for the student. Particularly, when those classes are taught by instructors who have a passion for the subject and a talent for engaging with students. 

As to the second part, Julie said it best: 

“Homeschooling sounds hard when we think of it as an alternative to public school. We worry about state standards and the traditional classroom activities that we associate with learning… Homeschooling is natural and (dare I say?) easy when we think about learning as a lifestyle… The joy is in going on the adventure of learning together with your kids! Homeschooling not only educates your children, it changes the entire culture of your family. Learning, living, and loving are united. Family dinners become rollicking conversations about history or literature. A child’s obsession with astronomy means everyone gets to see Saturn through a telescope at 4:00 AM. Another child’s fascination with archery leads to reading The Hunger Games series aloud.”

I would encourage all parents who are homeschooling or considering homeschooling to take time to lay out their goals for homeschooling and think about how those goals can be met – understanding all the alternatives that are out there, including what learning as a shared experience may look like. 

I know it can be overwhelming at first, but there is support. We’re always available to answer any questions (email us) and we always recommend Julie’s book The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life as a starting point. And the experience of curating a personalized learning environment for your family is one that you shouldn’t miss. It builds relationships, strengthens bonds, and is incredibly rewarding and fun!